The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-12-20
OFF TO SIBERIA.
sUrFERlNCS OF THE CARS SUB
JecTS DOOMED TO EXILE.

IN
OF the horrors it once possessed, for The
reason that the family and friendly ties in
Russia are not what they are in most
countries, and the people who commit
offcnscs against the crown are more
desperate and determined than they used
10 be. Still there are many patriots with
families who prefer death % life exile in
Siberia. for in many instances the family
will not accompany the exile; and since a
Siberian exile IS legally dead and his wife
is instantly allowed 10 remarry, the lot Is
very hard one.
Since Russia Is many times longer ex-
panse of country than the United states,
and Siberia is in its northern extremity,
the trip Of the exile is 70 tedious one. 1he
time required is from six 10 twelve weeks.
Exiles NAV choose their own mode of emf
grafton il they have money with which 10
meet their expenses, and hence some ar
rive at their destination much sooner than
others. From the moment Of sentence the
subject is under the care Of officers EXiles
are modified at Moscow and have a few
DAYS i'm which 10 close MP their affairs, say
their iarewclls and prepare for the
journey.
The exile who can afford TO do 50 and
there are many persons Of wealth a'-d M
fiuencc who thus meet imperial contempt
-equips his own private caravan, mas
liveried OF special guards. passes through
the villages on the way. taring sumpiu.
ously, for be- has "a certain time Boz which
to report TO his officer. and makes Of usu-
ally sad Journey one not altogether devoid
Of pleasure The poor man or woman,
however. is chained ca the string Cl con
victs, loaded into rickcty vehicles az the
end of the rail or water trip. and numbers
along like a funeral procession, going
around settlements and seldom being al
lowed q stop Their fare is salt meat or
fish, black bread add tea Patriots, con.
spratOrS, thieves, murderers and persons
convicted of every crime are linked TO-
gcther, travel on the same level. fare
alike, sing the same songs ii they do uot
have the same thoughts. and occupy the
same country for life
II is generally believed outside of Rus
STA that all Siberian cXiles are required
10 work in the mines This is not true
Only portion are sentenced 90 the mines
those who are condemned 10 hard labor.
Exile in Siberia means as "a general rule,
only enforced life ina a certain eNpanse of
country The government allows q pen
sion to the eXiled sufficient 50 scantly
clothe and feed them The allowance i-
about six rOubles "a mouth or less thln
50. This viii procure "a place 10 slecp
and coarse food once here il is next 10
impossible 10 escape The exile ia the
first place is landed 10 the heart Of Wild
country, surrounded by wild animals,
httle OF no civilization. and 1t is out Of
the question 10 think If escape. even
though the exile il provided with food
and raimeut for he long journey
Once in Siberia the exile is the same as
in jail, with the exception that he has The
open air aud pleaty Of room ina which Ia
move. lnasmuch a3 uO firearms, except
Ing those in the possession Of the officers,
are allowed n tie country, and the colo
mics are kept small. It is not now possible
FOR "a successful uprising II the eXilcs
were permitted TO commneie freely. get
together and had am opportunity 10 or
ranizc. even without arms ihry wOuld
make frequent trouble. for they are gCncr-
ally in a desperate frame of m,ld ia the
first place, tie bulk OF eXlles are persons
who have offended the throne. and they
are moved 10 the Oilense through desire
10 check the wrongs against the people
They are frenZied by despOtism. People
OF this character have 10 regard for life
ard no fear OF death The Nlhilist who
destroyed Alexander II few years ago
was willing TO be destroyed at the same
time All who have moved against a
royal life i'm Russia have been willing to
die for their acts
Quite "a many army and other officers
are stationed in Siberia to guard the eXiles
as are in the military and naval services
Of the United States. go extreme have
been the punishments Of the "a les, and -
unjust. and so many innocent persons
have been cXilod that many of The govern
ments officers are becoming disguised
Should Russia become engaged in a war
which would lessen the Siberian forces
sufficiently 10 warrant an Instruction IL
would surely come, and the system Of OK
lie would be no more. Ii is maintained
because it is a dreadful mode Of punish
mcut and enables the government 10 drag
net many of its subjects and suppress all
open dissatisfac. .On at comparatively
small expense. lt would require az
enormous outlay 20 provide prisons for
the cxilcs. As it il, they are dumped into
Il country they cannot leave, where they
are safe, and given a pittance TO exist
upon Their mode OF existence must be
provided by themselves.
Some very affecting scenes are witnessed
at the departure of colony Of cXilcs from
Moscow From there they start upon
their journey every Sunday afternoon
Those not found guilty of The most helm
Gus Cifenses are permitted 70 so about ia
preparation without the presence of an
officer There is no danger Of escape for
il Is almost impossible 10 clude the oil
GERS, aud an attempt to escape means
death. The prisons are on Sparrow hills,
where Napoloons army bvouacked The
families and friends OF the exiles are pres
ont There is wailng and moaning and
floods of agOnizing tears. Mothers, wives,
fathers, brothers, sisters friends and kin
dTsd remote assemble and bid the same
farewell criminal receives when he
marches 10 the scaliold. There are fire.
quent baptisms and blessings from the
priests.
Among the most numerous class in ST.
IBERIA are the writers. The authors Of
books, newspaper articles, and teachers OF